Māori proverbs called ‘whakataukī’, ‘whakatauākī’ or ‘pepeha’ are sayings that reflect the thoughts, values and advice of past generations. They are usually very succinct and often use metaphor to convey key messages. A short whakataukī will often be so accurate in capturing a thought or moment, there will be little need for any other words to explain it further. Proverbs are important to the revival of Māori language – they carry flair, imagery and metaphor embodying the uniqueness of the language.
Māori proverbs comment on many aspects of Māori culture including history, religious life, conduct, ethics, land, warfare, love, marriage, and death. Some sayings refer to cultural practices or attributes that have since changed or no longer exist. However, most can be adapted and applied to present-day situations.
Māori proverbs are featured in the formal speeches heard on the marae even today. To be considered a good orator, it is important for a speaker to be able to use these sayings appropriately. For the speaker’s point to be appreciated, it is essential for the audience to know the saying and to understand its meaning.
Some tribes and sub tribes have particular sayings that relate specifically to their whakapapa (geneology) links, history, attributes or practices. These types of sayings are called pēpeha.
Here are some examples of some well known Māori proverbs.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!
Whāia te iti kahurangi - Ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain
Ko te reo te manawa pou o te Māori, Ko te ihi te waimanawa o te tangata, Ko te roimata, ko te hūpē te waiaroha. Language is the lifeblood of Māori, The life force and the sacred energy of man. Tears and mucus are the spiritual expressions of feelings.
Ko tōku nui, tōku wehi, tōku whakatiketike, tōku reo. My language is my greatness, my inspiration, that which I hold precious.
Ko te reo Māori te kākahu o te whakaaro, te huarahi i te ao tūroa. The Māori language is the cloak of thought and the pathway to this natural world.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao. The bird that partakes of the miro berry reigns in the forest. The bird that partakes of the power of knowledge has access to the world.
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori. Language is the life force of Māori.
te tuakiri tangata. Tīhei uriuri, tīhei nakonako. Your voice and my voice are expressions of identity. May our descendants live on and our hopes be fulfilled.
mā te mātauranga e whakaū. Big ideas create the house; knowledge maintains it.
Social sciencesUnuhia te rito o te harakeke kei whea te kōmako e kō?
Whakatairangitia – rere ki uta, rere ki tai; Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao, Māku e kī atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata! Remove the heart of the flax bush and where will the kōmako sing? Proclaim it to the land, proclaim it to the sea; Ask me, 'What is the greatest thing in the world?' I will reply, 'It is people, people, people!'
Whakataukī - Proverbs
Māori proverbs called ‘whakataukī’, ‘whakatauākī’ or ‘pepeha’ are sayings that reflect the thoughts, values and advice of past generations. They are usually very succinct and often use metaphor to convey key messages. A short whakataukī will often be so accurate in capturing a thought or moment, there will be little need for any other words to explain it further. Proverbs are important to the revival of Māori language – they carry flair, imagery and metaphor embodying the uniqueness of the language.
Māori proverbs comment on many aspects of Māori culture including history, religious life, conduct, ethics, land, warfare, love, marriage, and death. Some sayings refer to cultural practices or attributes that have since changed or no longer exist. However, most can be adapted and applied to present-day situations.
Māori proverbs are featured in the formal speeches heard on the marae even today. To be considered a good orator, it is important for a speaker to be able to use these sayings appropriately. For the speaker’s point to be appreciated, it is essential for the audience to know the saying and to understand its meaning.
Some tribes and sub tribes have particular sayings that relate specifically to their whakapapa (geneology) links, history, attributes or practices. These types of sayings are called pēpeha.
Here are some examples of some well known Māori proverbs.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!
Whāia te iti kahurangi - Ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei
Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain
Te reo Māori
Ko te reo te manawa pou o te Māori,Ko te ihi te waimanawa o te tangata,
Ko te roimata, ko te hūpē te waiaroha.
Language is the lifeblood of Māori,
The life force and the sacred energy of man.
Tears and mucus are the spiritual expressions of feelings.
Ko tōku nui, tōku wehi, tōku whakatiketike, tōku reo.
My language is my greatness, my inspiration, that which I hold precious.
Ko te reo Māori te kākahu o te whakaaro, te huarahi i te ao tūroa.
The Māori language is the cloak of thought and the pathway to this natural world.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that partakes of the miro berry reigns in the forest.
The bird that partakes of the power of knowledge has access to the world.
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori.
Language is the life force of Māori.
EnglishKo te reo te tuakiri
Ko te reo tōku ahureiKo te reo te ora.
Language is my identity.
Language is my uniqueness.
Language is life.
The artsTe toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.
Artistic excellence makes the world sit up in wonder.Health and physical educationHe oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora.
Positive feelings in your heart will enhance your sense of self-worth.Learning languagesKo tōu reo, ko tōku reo,
te tuakiri tangata.Tīhei uriuri, tīhei nakonako.
Your voice and my voice are expressions of identity.
May our descendants live on and our hopes be fulfilled.
Mathematics and statisticsKei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa,
engari kia mau ki te aka matua.Cling to the main vine, not the loose one.
ScienceMā te whakaaro nui e hanga te whare;
mā te mātauranga e whakaū.Big ideas create the house;
knowledge maintains it.
Social sciencesUnuhia te rito o te harakeke kei whea te kōmako e kō?
Whakatairangitia – rere ki uta, rere ki tai;Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao,
Māku e kī atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
Remove the heart of the flax bush and where will the kōmako sing?
Proclaim it to the land, proclaim it to the sea;
Ask me, 'What is the greatest thing in the world?'
I will reply, 'It is people, people, people!'
TechnologyKaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe;
e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta.Don’t paddle out of unison;
our canoe will never reach the shore.